Tool and frame



Oct. 22, 1929. w. J. PARSONS 1,732,613

' TOOL AND FRAME Original Filed May 27, 1924 ATTORN EY Patented Oct. 22,1929 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE WILLIAM J. PARSONS, OF MILLERS FALLS,MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNOR TO MILLERS FALLS COMPANY, OF MILLERS FALLS,MASSACHUSETTS, A CORPORATION OF MASSA- OHUSETTS TOOL AND FRAMEApplication filed May 27, 1924, Serial No. 716,089. Renewed August 26,1929.

This invention relates to tools, and more particularly to the framestherefor and the method of making the same.

The invention has for its object generally to provide an improvedconstruction and arrangement of parts which will be eflicient economioaland readily manufactured.

Specifically an object of this invention is to provide a frame fortools, which is preferably made of sheet metal and the like and issufficiently rigid to Withstand the various strains to which it may besubjected while in use.

Still another object is to provide an improved procedure whereby theframe may be made of sheet metal and formed into a suitable articlepossessing the desired oharacteristics by which it is adapted to providethe means for associating in cooperative relation the various members intools and the like.

A further object is that of constructing a frame in any desired manner,which frame will be of particular value when employed in connection withdrills and other similar hand tools.

A still further object is to be predicated to the construction of adrill of improved design.

Other objects of the invention will in part be obvious and will in partappear hereinafter.

The invention accordingly comprises the several steps and relation andorder of one or more of such steps with respect to each of the others,and the article possessing the features, properties and the relation ofelements, which are exemplified in the following detailed disclosure,and the scope of the application of which will be indicated in theclaims.

For a fuller understanding of the nature and objects of the inventionreference should be had to the following detailed description taken inconnection with the accompanying drawing, in which:

Fig. 1 is a view mainly in side elevation, but with parts broken away,showing a form of hand drill constructed to embody this inven tion;

Fig. 2 is a plan view of a blank adapted to be made into a frame for thetool shown in Fig. 1;

Figs. 3 to 7 inclusive show various views of the blank illustrated inFig. 2, and depicting the several steps performed to shape it into aframe which has the final form shown in plan and end in Figs. 6 and 7,respectively;

Figs. 8, 9 and 10 show various forms of frames different from that shownin Figs. 1

As afore-stated, in the illustrated example, the invention has beenshown as embodied in a hand drill. Thus referring particularly to Fig.1, it will be seen that the reference numeral 10 indicates a tool framewhich is supported by a handle 11 and which carries a sleeve 12associated with a chuck 13. The latter is driven by means of a shaft 14extending through the sleeve, and a pinion 15 is at tached to the innerend of the shaft and has its teeth meshing with the teeth of a gear 16,which may in turn be retained and rotated in any suitable manner, as forexample by mounting the same upon a shaft or stud 17 and by placing acrank 18 in association therewith, this crank preferably carrying ahandle 19 for its ready manipulation.

While this arrangement of parts is of particular advantage, and whilethe frame (hereinafter specifically described) may be formed in anydesirable manner, it is preferred that this latter element be furnishedby means of stamping and dieing operations.

Thus the frame 10 is made preferably from sheet metal or other suitablesheet material, and is formed to have a suitable configuration tosupport the stationary members of the tool; such as the sleeve 19.,handle 11 and stud 17, these members being maintained in propercooperative relation with the movable members such as the driving gear16, shaft 14 and the pinion 15. The configuration also providesstrengthening portions so arranged as to impart to the frame sufficientrigidity to withstand the stresses to which the tool will be subjectedwhile in use.

Assuming that it is desired to form a frame of the character shown inFigs. 1 and 6, it will be understood that this element may beconveniently made from the plain blank shown at 20 in Fig. 2. The blankis subsequently shaped to have upstanding rims 21,

a depressed conical groove portion 22 and channeled ends 23 and 24 ashas been clearly shown in Fig. 3.

As the ends 23 and 24 are to support the handle '11 and the shaft 14,respectively, it is desirable to shape them finally into the circularconfigurations indicated at 28' and 24, in Figs. 6 and 7, and with thisin mind a further operation may be resorted to. 1 The finishedframe 10illustrated in Fig. '6 thus has a shell-form with an upstanding edgewhich serves as a strengthening rib adapted to withstand thrusts andlike stresses while the frame is in use. By closing in the edges of thechanneled ends 23 and 24 to give them the circular contour shown at 23'and 24, these ends are formed, as it were, into splittubes, the tubularend 23 being well adapted to support the handle 11, while the-tubularend 24 is adapted to serve as a journal for the rotatable shaft 14: thedepressed groove or recess at 22 providing sufficient clearance for theproper disposition of the pinion 15. I

The blank maythus be made from sheet metal by an ordinary blankingoperation in a punch press and approximates inshape initially theultimate form of the frame. The desired configurations to be imparted tothe frame are preferably developed by suitable stamping and dieingoperations, for example by cold dieing whichmay be accomplished by theaid of a die press. The rib or flange 21 and the groove 22 are withadvantage formed by this operation; the channeled ends and 24 beingpreferably developed at the same time, while another operation is giventhem to develop the circular contour indicated in Figs. 6 and 7;

By the present invention it is readily perceived that, the strengtheningribs are not necessarily restricted to the peripheral portions of theframe, butmay be struck up from the body of the blank as indicated at 25in Fig. 8. Here intersecting ribs are provided extending diagonallyacross the body of the frame or shell, and it will be understood thatthe provision of such ribs across the body of the frame impartsadditional rigidity thereto and enables the frame to withstand greaterstresses than the simple form shown in F 6. The preferred disposition ofthe ribs of this frame is, of course, along lines where the majorstrains are most likelyto develop. 7 I Fig.9 shows a further form offrame in which the space depressed to form the groove 22 in Fig. 3'issimply stamped or cut out to provide the open space indicated at 26.This form of frame is desirable at times where it is preferred tosimplify the dieing operation. In Fig. 10 the circular frame ends arestrengthened by uniting the adjacent edges of the side-slots in thetubular portions, for example by brazing or welding as has beenindicated at 27, it being understood that when this form of constructionis employed, it is unnecessary that members be utilized to confine theends of the frame to prevent spreading.

A. frame provided by this invention is thus adapted to be formed bymeans of simple blanking and dieing operations. Care, however, isrequired in the dieing operation so as not unduly to weaken or thin outthe parts. The portions struck up about the blank become, as it were,integral transverse beams for the frame well adapted to impart rigidityto the body thereof when employed in connection with a drill or similartool.

In order that the ends 23 and 24 may be rolled over into circular formas shown in Figs. 7 and 8 without deleteriously straining the upstandingrim 21, it is desirable that the necks of the blank where these ends areformed shall be slightly recessed or cut away as indicated at 28 in Fig.2. In this way the drag of the bent down end portions of the metal isremoved from the upstanding rim 21.

By this invention it will be seen that the frames or tools may bequickly made in large quantities by stamping and dieing operations, andthe need in tool frames of cast metal or of other special metals whichhave here- I tofore' been regarded as particularly adaptable for thispurpose is entirely avoided.

The cost of making 'tool frames on a quantity basis is also greatlyreduced. In thus attaining a more cheaply produced frame none of thequalities formerly desired in frames are sacrificed but rather enhanced;such frames being adapted to be readily finished by grinding, enameling,etc., as the case may be. The cold died frames are uniformly strongerand more robust than cast frames. By the use of'this invention moreoverthe problems of disposing of rejected casings and of manufacturingseconds in the tool line, are practically eliminated.

Finally, irrespective of the method adopted in constructing the frame,it will be understood that a drill is provided which ofi'ers numerousadvantages over tools of this character as heretofore placed upon themarket, it being noted, for example, that the parts will always bemaintained'in their proper relative positions and that a spreading ofthe frame ends will be prevented incident to the confining actionexerted thereon by the handle and sleeve, respectively. l urthcrmore,and particularly where a recessed portion forms a part of the frame,-the pinion or spur gear 15 is protected from injury on one side by thisportion and on the other side by the gear 16.

Thus it will be understood that the objects of the invention areaccomplished, and since certain changes in carrying out the aboveprocess, and certain modifications in the article Which embody theinvention may be made Without departing from its scope, it is intendedthat all matter contained in the above description or shown in theaccompanying drawing shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in alimiting sense.

It is also to be understood that the following claims are intended tocover all of the generic and specific features of the invention hereindescribed, and all statements of the scope of the invention Which, as amatter of language, might be said to fall therebetvveen.

Having described my invention, What I claim as new and desire to secureby Letters Patent, is:

1. In combination a tool frame including a main body, tubular portionsextending from said body, a handle encircling one of said portions, ashaft extending through and beyond another of the same, tool engagingmeans adapted to be associated with one end of said shaft, meanscooperating With the opposite end of said shaft for driving the latter,and a sleeve encircling said last named portion of the frame forconfining the same.

2. In combination, a tool frame, including a main body, a tubularportion extending from one end of said body, a handle associated withthe other end of said body, said body and said tubular portion beingformed of sheet metal of substantially constant gauge, said body beingbounded by upwardlybent edge-portions of said sheet metal providingupstanding strengthening flanges, said tubular portion being formed byup- Wardlyand inwardly-bent edges of said sheet metal, a shaft extendingthrough and beyond said tubular portion, tool-engaging means adapted tobe associated With one end of said shaft, means cooperating with theopposite end of said shaft for driving the latter, and a sleeveencircling said tubular portion for confining the same.

3. In combination, a tool frame, including a main body, tubular portionsextending from each end of said body, a handle associated With one ofsaid tubular portions, said body and said tubular portions being formedof sheet metal of substantially constant gauge, said body being boundedby upwardly-bent edge-portions of said sheet metal providing upstandingstrengthening flanges, said tubular portions being formed by upWardlyandinwardly-bent edges of said sheet metal, a shaft extending through andbeyond the other tubular portion, tool-engaging means adapted to beassociated With one end of said shaft, means cooperating With theopposite end of said shaft for driving the latter, and a sleeveencircling said last-named tubular portion for confining the same.

4. In combination, a tool frame, including a main body, tubular portionsextending from each end of said body, a handle associated With one ofsaid tubular portions, said body and said tubular portion being formedof sheet metal of substantially constant gauge, said body being boundedby upwardly-bent edge-portions of said sheet metal providing upstandingstrengthenin flanges, said tubular portions being forme by upwardlyandinwardly-bent edges of said sheet metal, a shaft extending through andbeyond the other tubular portion, tool-engaging means adapted to beassociated with one end of said shaft, means including a pinion mountedon the opposite end of said shaft for driving the latter; said bodyhaving a depressed conical groove-portion for accommodating said pinion.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature.

WILLIAM J. PARSONS.

